A mid-act at the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony has sparked heavy criticism from Christians worldwide, calling it a “mockery of the Christian faith”.
The four-hour ceremony, which featured various artistic tableaus named after French values such as freedom, fraternity, and equality, included a controversial last supper-style performance in the 'festivité' (party) scene.
The act involved drag queens recreating Leonardo Da Vinci’s mural of Jesus' Last Supper and his Twelve Apostles, a depiction of deep significance for Christians as it represents their last Passover meal before Jesus’ betrayal, trial, and crucifixion.
The scene prompted strong reactions from believers and church leaders. Hillsong Church founder Brian Houston called it “a disgrace” and “blasphemy.” In the UK, Gavin Calver, leader of the Evangelical Alliance, described it as “appalling to see Christianity so openly mocked,” calling it “utterly insensitive, unnecessary, and offensive.”
Bishop Robert Barron, a Catholic leader in the US, also condemned the act on social media, labelling it a “gross mockery of the Last Supper.”
He said: “France, once known as the eldest daughter of the Church, and Paris, which gave us Thomas Aquinas, has chosen to mock the Christian faith. France, whose culture—and I mean the honouring of the individual and human rights and freedom—is deeply grounded in Christianity, felt that mocking Christianity was appropriate.
“You know, a question I would pose, which we all know the answer to: ‘Would they ever dare to mock Islam in a similar way? Would they ever dream of mocking a scene from the Koran in such a gross, public manner?’ We all know the answer.
"This deeply secularist postmodern society knows who its enemy is. They’re naming it, and we should believe them. We Christians, we Catholics, should not be sheepish. We should resist and make our voices heard.”
Elon Musk also joined the backlash, describing the performance as "extremely disrespectful to Christians" and lamenting that "Christianity has become toothless."
Moreover, critics pointed out additional issues with the ceremony, including sound problems, incorrectly referring to South Korea as 'North Korea,' and hoisting the Olympic flag upside down.
Despite these controversies, hundreds of thousands of spectators lined the banks and bridges of the Seine to watch thousands of athletes make their way along the waterway in a flotilla of boats.